by phillipw | May 31, 2024 | AM, GA, PE, SI, TW
Wintke and Witkówiŋ “The term wíŋtke refers to men who partook in traditional feminine duties while the term witkówiŋ (“crazy woman”) was used for women who rejected their roles as either mother or wife to be a prostitute.” ~ Article about Sioux...
by phillipw | Feb 6, 2024 | GA, Ho, IR, MA
Irises Not Dreaming of Other Irises Modern poetry modern verse contemporary poetry contemporary verse modern poem contemporary poem An iris cannot dream. It cannot dream Of blue, not even nearly purple blue, That wishes it were black. A cherubim, Once it had...
by phillipw | Jan 27, 2024 | GA, Ho, KA, LO, LU, MA, NE, RO, UN
Unlike You and Him There seemed a time (if time can merely seem) When we soared parallel, so did not touch, The lack of touching sinful as a dream (Though close the lack of touching hurt too much And so I had to comment face to face With little gifts of...
by phillipw | Jan 14, 2024 | GA, HA, HE, NO, ST
The Female Pheasant’s Handsome Lover Modern poetry modern verse contemporary poetry contemporary verse modern poem contemporary poem The Noh fan opens out upon the stage. The female pheasant’s lover is the point. Her attitude to beauty makes her sage: When males are...
by phillipw | Nov 12, 2023 | AB, GA, LO, RO
Alchemy’s Golden Paradox in Heaven’s Streets of Transparent Gold Love, I am full of lead. ~ Antony in Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra, III.11.76 His heart was made of lead, its poison, weight And darkness till he met the one, that one Who mattered only, only,...
by phillipw | Oct 8, 2023 | GA, Ho, LO, MA
Fraught and not Fraught [Today, October 7, 2023, I bought Abhishek’s wedding ring.] Where only black and gold are, gods will lie In wait. The black ones are uncountable, The gold ones only three. The black ones fly Around and in us, unsurmountable The...